Rover workers cheered as BMWs demolished

The public image of BMW took another battering yesterday as its cars were given pride of place at a demolition derby in the Midlands.

Spectators were given the opportunity to vent their anger at the German car-maker by swinging a sledgehammer at a BMW car provided for the purpose by the organisers. A local motor dealer also donated a BMW sports car worth £1,500 to be smashed to pieces with a mechanical digger.

The demolition derby, at Hednesford Hills raceway in Staffordshire, followed a march in Birmingham on Saturday to protest at BMW's decision to sell Rover, threatening thousands of jobs.

Rover workers were offered free entry to watch a dozen BMWs being smashed in the race. The track owner, Philip Bond, said: "There is a feeling of betrayal and anger amongst workers across the region. The sight of BMW cars being smashed to smithereens could be very therapeutic."